Pearson Technology Group's BradyGames Publishes Three Top-Selling Guides of 2001, #1 Video Game Guide Provider Throughout 4th Quarter

Business Wire, Feb 13, 2002

Business Editors, High Tech & Entertainment Writers

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2002

BradyGames, an imprint of Pearson Technology Group (NYSE:PSO), guides dominated the top end of the video and computer game strategy guide industry in 2001, publishing the three top-selling guides of the year and outselling its nearest competitor in video game guides by more than 40 percent in the fourth quarter.

According to sales data of the Top 100 guides of 2001 compiled by NPDFunworld TRSTS Video Games Service, the industry's leading provider of market information, BradyGames sold more than 616,000 guides for video games in the fourth quarter of 2001. That compares to about 430,000 sold by their closest competitor during the same period.

BradyGames also published the three top-selling computer and video guides of the year, according to NPDFunworld data. Remarkably, the year's No. 1 guide, BradyGames' FINAL FANTASY(R) X Official Strategy Guide, achieved the top spot with only two weeks of sales. The Metal Gear Solid 2(R): Sons of Liberty(TM) Official Strategy Guide was the year's second best seller, with the Final Fantasy(R) IX Official Strategy Guide rounding out the top three.

"Our continued efforts to create the highest quality guides really started to make a difference last year," said David Waybright, publisher for BradyGames. "We were also fortunate to work with some of the strongest game publishers out there. In the coming year, we'll continue to raise the bar for quality, and focus on publishing the best guides for the best games."

In addition to the top three, other best sellers for BradyGames included Grand Theft Auto(TM) III, Silent Hill(R) 2 and Devil May Cry(TM).

BradyGames' Diablo(R) II: Lord of Destruction(TM) Official Strategy Guide finished the year as the number one computer game guide in 2001, selling more than twice as many copies as the second leading guide. It was the eighth-best selling strategy guide overall, and the only PC guide in the top 15.

BradyGames is poised to start 2002 where 2001 left off. The company has ongoing relationships with many of the major software publishers, and the game industry overall expects 2002 to be a banner year.

ABOUT BRADYGAMES

Strategy guides have become an essential part of the high-tech world of gaming, and BradyGames delivers everything gamers need to win - comprehensive tips, strategies, cheats, and more! BradyGames creates strategy guides for the most anticipated games. Each guide takes on the unique look and feel of the game it supports while providing every piece of essential information. BradyGames' talented team of authors and editors cover every aspect of the game to provide the most detailed information available.

BradyGames, an imprint of the Pearson Technology Group, is a leader in the gaming world. BradyGames' guides feature quality and excellence comparable to each game they cover. With top-notch strategy guides and exclusive partnerships, BradyGames is on the path to an even more successful future. For the latest hints and cheats, visit www.bradygames.com and Take Your Game Further(TM).